Northern California”s campgrounds and mountain towns have always had a problem with bears. Now that California has a ban on using dogs to hunt bears, the bear population will continue to rise and they are going to become more aggressive than ever.

New cubs being born will never be hunted by dogs, which will make them not afraid of dogs. Dogs are the main way to keep bears away from homes, camps, and other populated areas. Black bears were becoming overpopulated even before this new hunting ban.

Unless California will allow canines to be used to hunt and track bears again, don”t be surprised when bear attacks on people, livestock and pets rise — as well as a decline in the deer population which is the most popular big-game animal in the state. I have no idea what good the Legislature thought would come out of this hunting ban.